Ingredients

1 1/2 (1-pound) loaves day-old French or Italian bread, cut into cubes (about 15 cups)
1 pound semisweet chocolate, grated or broken up into small pieces
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
6 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla
3 cups whole milk
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup bourbon
Chocolate Whipped Topping, recipe follows

Chocolate Whipped Topping:

1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/2 cup chocolate sauce

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Butter or use nonstick spray on a 13 by 9-inch baking dish.

Spread the bread cubes in the prepared dish. Place the grated chocolate in a medium bowl; set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together the sugars, cocoa powder, and cinnamon. Whisk in the eggs, 1 at a time. Stir in the vanilla.

In a medium saucepan, bring the milk and cream to a boil. Pour the mixture over the grated chocolate and stir until the chocolate is completely melted. Whisking constantly, slowly pour the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture. Stir in the bourbon and pour the chocolate mixture evenly over the bread cubes. Refrigerate pudding for at least 1 hour or up to 12 hours.

Bake the pudding until just set and a knife inserted in the center of the pudding comes out clean, about 1 hour. Serve the pudding warm or chilled with Chocolate Whipped Topping.

Chocolate Whipped Topping:

Beat together the sugar and cream. Once soft peaks form, fold in the chocolate sauce.

Recipe Courtesy of The Deen Bros.